Pearson edges Harper in Olympic 100 hurdles final

LONDON — Sally Pearson provided a rare bright spot for Australia at the London Games, earning the country’s fourth gold medal by edging defending champion Dawn Harper of the U.S. to win the 100-meter hurdles in an Olympics-record 12.35 seconds Tuesday night.

Under a steady rain, Pearson barely crossed the line ahead of Harper, who was clocked in 12.37. The U.S. also took the bronze, with Kellie Wells finishing in 12.48.

Lolo Jones, the favorite who fell at the ninth of 10 hurdles four years ago, was fourth Tuesday in 12.58.

It took several seconds for the scoreboard at Olympic Stadium to display the final results, with Pearson and Harper both staring and waiting. When Pearson’s named appeared first, she let out a yell, then dropped to her knees and fell on her back.